EngineerGirl Announces 2019 Writing Contest Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wed, May 15, 2019

Washington, DC, United States, May 15, 2019 —

The National Academy of Engineering today announced the winners of its 2019 EngineerGirl writing competition. This year’s contest asked students in grades three to 12 to write a story that celebrates engineering design and problem solving. These stories should be creative works of fiction about women and girls saving the day with their wits, skill, and whatever resources they can find. Prizes were awarded to students based on grade level.

“This year’s writing contest showcased the student’s creativity as they came up with imaginative stories that highlight girls in engineering,” said NAE President C. D. Mote, Jr. “These stories will inspire girls everywhere to continue to think of inventive ways to fix everyday problems and that’s what engineering is all about.”

Among third- to fifth-grade students, Henrietta Rasmusson, a fifth-grader at Douglas J. Regan Intermediate School in Pendleton, New York, placed first for her essay about a princess engineering her way out of a tall tower. Seventh-grader Noor Azam-Naseeruddin from Renaissance Home School Group, won first place among entries from grades six to eight for her essay about a Hawaiian adventure. Among ninth- to 12th-graders, Audrey Rappaport, a 12th-grader at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Bowie, Maryland, placed first for her essay about a bridge that could withstand a treacherous sea serpent.

The 2019 EngineerGirl writing contest was sponsored by Chevron Corp. and the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology, and Science. Awards are $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. Certificates are given for honorable mentions. Additional winners are listed below.

Grades three to five:

• Second Place: Vishnu Mangipudi, in fifth grade for “Amanda Jones’ Pollution Solution”
• Third Place: Viraj Shah, in third grade at Sterling Montessori Academy in Morrisville, North Carolina, for “Unlock the Legacy”
• Honorable Mention: Adria Roller, in fourth grade at Brooks Harbor Elementary in West Fargo, North Dakota, for “Better Together”
• Honorable Mention: Sarah G., at Unity Elementary School in Luthersville, Georgia, for “Treehouse Rescue”

• Second Place: Mikalee Williams, in 12th grade at Belleview High School in Belleview, Florida, for “The Obvious Problem”
• Third Place: Isabel Hwang, in 11th grade at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware, for “Jane, Escaping the Tower”
• Honorable Mention: Natalie Salvatierra, in ninth grade at Foothill High School in Tustin, California, for “Under Pressure”

EngineerGirl is designed for girls in elementary through high school and offers information about various engineering fields and careers, questions and answers, interviews, and other resources on engineering. Surveys of contest participants indicate that 40 percent of girls say they are more likely to consider an engineering career after writing their essay. EngineerGirl is part of the NAE’s ongoing effort to increase the diversity of the engineering workforce.

The mission of the NAE is to advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshalling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology. The NAE is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an independent, nonprofit organization chartered by Congress to provide objective analysis and advice to the nation on matters of science, technology, and health.